Most Kenyans back referendum campaign

Most Kenyans support referendum calls by Cord and governors’ council, a new survey reveals.

The opinion poll released by Ipsos Kenya on Wednesday evening showed the bid by Council of Governors (CoG) was more popular that Cord's Okoa Kenya campaign.

The poll showed that 53 per cent of those interviewed support the bid by Council of Governors (CoG) while 38 per cent back the Cord initiative.

The latest finding will no doubt serve as a morale booster to the two camps which have been calling for amendments to the Constitution to among other things, increase budgetary allocation to counties from 15 per cent to 45 per cent as well as improve security in the country.

Out of the 1,669 people polled between October 11 and 13, only 39 per cent disapproved CoG’s Pesa Mashinani referendum push as 38 per cent dismissed the Okoa Kenya vote push by Raila Odinga-led Cord.

Four per cent of interviewees are unsure of their support for the Pesa Mashinani bid spearheaded by CoG chairman Isaac Ruto while six per cent could not state whether or not they supported Cord’s referendum push.

The survey also revealed that a massive 80 per cent of Cord supporters were in favour of the Pesa Mashinani vote compared to only 28 per cent of their Jubilee counterparts.

Similarly, 75 per cent of Cord supporters favour the Okoa Kenya vote compared to only 19 per cent of the Jubilee camp who support the bid.

Both President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have dismissed referendum calls as unnecessary expenditures.

Another 28 per cent of Kenyans support the Jubilee coalition while only 13 per cent feel closer to Cord.

Thirteen per cent feel closer to ODM, a major partner in Cord, while 12 per cent support TNA, a key member on Jubilee. Only five per cent of those interviewed support URP.

The support for Wiper, PNU, Alliance Part of Kenya (APK) and Ford Kenya stood at two per cent each.

The findings came as the absence of Cord leaders Mr Odinga and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka as well several governors was said to have slowed down the referendum campaigns.

Okoa Kenya initiative committee of experts chairman Paul Mwangi admitted the absence of Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka had slowed down the momentum.

“Raila’s absence always affects the tempo of the campaigns. This is made worse when Kalonzo is also out of the country,” Mr Mwangi said.

Mr Odinga is in Mozambique where he is leading an election observer team. “But we expect him back at the end of the week. We have no activities lined up at the moment,” Mr Mwangi added.

CoG however maintained that Pesa Mashinani campaigns were still on course despite the absence of governors Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Peter Munya (Meru), who have been key figures in CoG’s plan.

“Nothing much has changed, the campaigns are on course. We are still collecting signatures and in Bomet alone, I have collected over 100,000 signatures so far,” CoG chairman Isaac Ruto said. CoG was to meet last evening to plan the campaign programme for the weekend.

Mr Oparanya and Mr Munya are part of a ten-member delegation of governors currently in Germany to meet donors. They intend to meet, among others, officials of Germany’s Credit Bank which has been funding projects in various counties.

OLD PARTNERSHIPS

“We are following up on road projects and markets,” said Bungoma governor Ken Lusaka who is in the delegation.

Mr Lusaka said there is a need for governors to revive old partnerships with donors because allocations by the national government are not enough. Other governors in the delegation are Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Nderitu Gachagua (Nyeri), Joseph Ndathi (Kirinyaga and Ukur Yattani (Marsabit) and Martin Wambora (Embu).

The survey will also soothe proponents of Pesa Mashinani campaign, especially after its key supporter Nandi Governor Cleophas Lagat pulled out due to pressure from Rift valley leaders.

Mr Lagat’s change of heart has been attributed to threats by the Jubilee government to crack down on their governors who are supporting calls for a referendum.